SINCE the devastating fire in April at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre, when Art Whitsunday lost all their possessions, the group has been working hard to keep the association going and growing.

A twilight market held at the shopping centre soon after saw members rally with more artworks to demostrate to the public that the association intends to push on and grow stronger.

Re-establishing and re-investing in essential equipment has been the main focus for the group and investigating opportunities to set up a new gallery.

Members have been meeting and painting together at alternate venues and often at members' homes located from Hydeaway Bay to Shute Harbour.

Great inspiration is acquired from sharing ideas and the visual and often different locations feed the thought process.

Members are now working hard on creating new artworks for their annual exhibition in August.

The association is excited to welcome guest judge Slavica Zivkovic from Sturt Gallery Mittagong, which is part of the Frensham School, a renowned contemporary arts and design centre.

Slavica travels extensively and says this has a huge impact on her art and mind.

When not running Sturt Gallery, she frequently volunteers overseas.

Twice a finalist in the Blanke Prize for spiritual and religious art she describes her work as spiritual even though it has its roots in her orthodox Christian upbringing.

Members are looking forward to having her judge their art and hearing her critique.